Walking Shoes - Walking and Other Exercise

[Guest_1055]

Hey to anyone reading this.

Last night I had an idea about starting a new thread about exercise especially walking. I am aware that walking is very beneficial for our mental, emotional and physical well being. And by actually doing it....well it can make a huge difference to how we cope with the storms that we face in life.

OK, I am not real good at disciplining myself to walk, and have to really push myself to do it. And sometimes it is even hard to leave this bedroom. Anyway I am not a beginner walker, as I have stuck to sort of a plan before. So I know that it does make me feel somewhat better. But I only stayed on the plan for a couple of months, then gave up.....for whatever reason. So here I am again wanting desperately to not fail this time.

So I guess this thread is for anyone that does walk, anyone that is struggling to walk because of depression or anxiety issues. And anyone else really......

I am unsure of the outcome of all this. But my ideas included: Sharing about things we have found out about exercise especially about walking. Writing down the reasons that one would chose to walk ( like something to help motivate). Being accountable in same way. Sharing about the places where we actually do walk, like the beach, gym, around the block, with the dog, out to the clothesline and back. And any other useful tips that could help others. So here we go......

[Guest_1055]

Didn't walk yesterday or ride.

Walked down to the train station and back just then. Thankful I did, but I am so very tired today. So it was much more of an effort.

Found a small yellow ball with a smiley face on it. So I decided to kick that along as I was walking back.

Properly it belonged to someone else or maybe a dog. I didn't think of that at the time. I just mindlessly started kicking it along.

[Guest_1055]

Cycled around the block once.

[Ezzi]

Hello. What a lovely thread on the beyond blue forums. So motivating, encouraging and interesting. I may one day join in with you and friends who are on this thread about exercising, what's suitable for each individual. So refreshing for the body and soul to unwind during stressful times.

[Miz]

Hi all,

Today I went for a lovely walk down to the water. I find that seeing water makes me feel more grounded and calm, especially when you focus on the way the water moves. Do other people like walking near water? I would love to hear from you

[Guest_1055]

Hello Ezzi

Yes please join in if you would like to. No pressure though. You are free. Do you walk or do other exercise?

And yes it can be really refreshing. I find that if I walk in the cool air and when it is breezey especially, it can be physically refreshing.

Also I find it refreshing in that you mind gets a break and sometimes not pleasant emotions can just fade away sometimes as well.

[Guest_1055]

Hello Miz,

Yes I definitely feel calmer when I walk near water. Though not so much if the water in the ocean is dark. Say if I walked at night time. I still walk at night near the ocean, because it is often so breezy. And I love the breeze.

What sort of water did you walk near? Beach, river, dam?

[Doolhof]

Hello Shelley and all, Special welcome to Ezzi and Miz.

Ezzi, I agree with you, different exercise options may suit different people. In times of lock down people may be limited in exercise choices as well.

Miz, I find any kind of water to be very relaxing. Our summers are very dry in our region so I enjoy this time of year when the creeks are flowing and the farms on the dam have water in them. I find the beach to be very relaxing, it is a bit of a journey from our home so I don't get there as often as I would like.

Shelley, thinking of you. I have not been around the forums for a while. I've enjoyed catching up on your comments here.

I did not take a photo of the kangaroo I saw lazing under a tree as it was too far away and would have looked the size of a mouse on the photo.

I've been walking most days and have returned to the hydrotherapy pool. I enjoy the warmer temperature of the water, it is wonderful for tired and aching bodies. I still have my exercises from a decade or so ago and am thinking about doing a class sometime to learn some new methods and exercises for the hydro pool.

During a recent walk, I enjoyed the antics of some sheep in a paddock. They were running into an empty shallow dam and then running out again. Turning around and doing the same thing a few times. I have seen lambs frolic and have fun like that but not full grown sheep. It reminded me that we are never too old to have some fun!

Cheerio to you all from Dools

[Guest_1055]

Ah Mrs D, love the bit about the sheep running into the dam like that. Little lambs are super cute, love too how they kick up their little legs. Maybe I should go walk down at the rec near me, the hobby farm that backs onto the rec has sheep.

Super good you are making use of the hydrotherapy pool again.

And yeah I was wondering how you were getting along. I did notice you were quiter

[Guest_1055]

Well I walked down at the rec area. Which is 3 rather large ovals, a playground, and ponds that are surrounded by these tall bullrushes type plants. One of the ponds has a jetty. Houses back onto the rec.

So one has a hoppy farm and as I walked past it, I noticed two sheep. One eating grass, the other just standing near a huge pile of scattered timber. I also saw some chickens pecking at whatever. They were not in their pen, but just loose in the small paddock. Super cute.

I walked right around this rec area, and up onto the jetty peering into the pond water. It was a murky brown colour. It did have a few ripples.

As I was walking I was listening to "Graves into Gardens" through headphones..... "You turn graves into gardens... You turn mourning into dancing... You turn shame into glory... You are the only one who can!" I know the words to be true and tears were behind my eyes. Its a good dancing song as well. Love it.

Thankful I walked. And parts of that rec can be quite with no people.

[Guest_1055]

Just cycled around the block along side my son who jogged part of the way